The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed speculation that the June 22 explosion in the Mushin area of Lagos was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) or any act of terrorism, announcing that a comprehensive forensic investigation has determined the incident resulted from a mechanical failure.
Addressing journalists on Thursday at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, said the explosion at No. 19 Way Street, Mushin, was initially treated as a suspected explosive incident in line with established security protocols.
“Following the incident, preliminary observations and reports received at the scene raised concerns about the possibility of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion. In line with established security protocols and international best practices, the incident was immediately treated as a suspected explosive occurrence pending a comprehensive technical investigation by experts of the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit,” he said.
According to the police commissioner, a team of EOD-CBRN specialists carried out an extensive forensic examination of the scene, including a detailed assessment of the damaged vehicle, analysis of recovered fragments, evaluation of damage patterns, collection of physical evidence and interviews with witnesses.
Fatai said the investigation conclusively ruled out terrorism, sabotage and criminal use of explosives.
“I am pleased to inform the good people of Lagos State and Nigerians at large that the investigation has conclusively established that the incident was not caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), terrorist activity, sabotage, or any form of criminal use of explosives,” he stated.
He added that investigators found “no traces of explosive materials, detonators, initiation systems, explosive residues, or blast characteristics ordinarily associated with explosive attacks.”
The commissioner further explained that the damaged vehicle did not display the structural deformation, fragmentation patterns, crater effects or displacement typically associated with explosions caused by explosive devices.
Instead, he said, investigators established that the incident was triggered by the catastrophic failure of a pressurised mechanical component located outside the vehicle.
“The investigation established that the incident resulted from the catastrophic failure of a pressurised mechanical component outside the vehicle. This failure generated a sudden release of energy which caused the shattering of the vehicle’s front passenger-side glass panels and resulted in minor injuries to the occupant. Based on these findings, the incident has been professionally classified as a Mechanical Explosion,” Fatai said.
He disclosed that the case has now been officially reclassified from a suspected IED incident to a mechanical explosion.
The commissioner reassured residents that there was no threat to public safety arising from the incident.
“We therefore wish to reassure all residents of Lagos State that there is absolutely no evidence linking this incident to terrorism, insurgency, sabotage, or any threat to public safety and security. There is no cause for alarm,” he said.
Fatai commended members of the public for promptly alerting emergency responders and praised the professionalism of the police EOD-CBRN team and other emergency personnel involved in the investigation.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious activities through established security channels, while assuring the public that all reported explosions and similar incidents would continue to receive thorough professional investigation before conclusions are drawn.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and factual reporting in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property,” the commissioner added.
